WHAT WE DO

We are responsible for disposing of the waste generated by residents and businesses within our region. Planning for less waste, improving reuse and recycling systems as well as managing the remaining waste reflects the public’s expectations of high environmental stewardship, as well as the desire to keep waste management affordable.

We operate six transfer stations where residents can drop off garbage and green waste, with recycling depots close by. Currently garbage is taken to a waste-to-energy facility (where waste is incinerated to generate steam and electricity), or the Cache Creek and Vancouver Landfills. Within the region there are also private solid waste facilities which handle demolition, land clearing and construction debris.

Some of the waste we manage doesn’t have to be there. Wise purchasing, repair and reuse of goods, better access to recycling all mean less waste going to disposal. We work with member municipalities and businesses to develop educational materials and campaigns that encourage a change in our approach to generating waste.

Our plan also includes a 10% per capita reduction in the amount of waste we generate by 2020 (compared with 2010 levels). This means advocating for better product and packaging design as well as more selective purchasing by consumers and businesses. To bring about those changes we’re engaging partners from across Canada through the National Zero Waste Council.

Our goal is to have the materials you dispose of used for their highest possible purpose. That’s why, along with your municipality, we’ve banned compostable material including food scraps from the garbage.

We worked with residents and building managers at our own multi-family housing sites to identify and overcome barriers to recycling. Two things kept our residents from recycling more: not enough recycling bins, and people feeling like they were the only ones trying to recycle properly.

Our goal is for you to have the same recycling information where you live, where you work or go to school, in your building’s recycling room and in public spaces. Consistency helps people sort their recycling faster, gets materials in the right bins and increases recycling rates. You can help by using our materials – they’re free to download and use.

All of us make decisions every day that impact how much garbage we send to the landfill and waste-to-energy facility. The Zero Waste Challenge is about figuring out how to reduce that garbage. Find challenging ideas for businesses, schools and at home.